A man had a little daughteran only and much-loved child. He lived for hershe was his life. So when she became ill, he became like a man possessed1, moving heaven and earth（全力以赴） to bring about her restoration to health.
His best efforts, however, proved unavailing（无效的，徒劳的） and the child died. The father became a bitter recluse2（隐士） , shutting himself away from his many friends and refusing every activity that might restore his poise3 and bring him back to his normal self. But one night he had a dream.
He was in heaven, witnessing a grand（宏伟的） pageant4（盛会，游行） of all the little child angels. They were marching in a line passing by the Great White Throne. Every white-robed angelic child carried a candle. He noticed that one childs candle was not lighted. Then he saw that the child with the dark candle was his own little girl. Rushing to her, he seized her in his arms, caressed5 her tenderly, and then asked, How is it, darling, that your candle alone is unlighted? Daddy, they often relight it, but your tears always put it out.
Just then he awoke from his dream. The lesson was crystal clear（极其了解） , and its effects were immediate6. From that hour on he was not a recluse, but mingled7（融合） freely and cheerfully with his former friends and associates. No longer would his darlings candle be extinguished by his useless tears.
